Brownback apologizing to Romney for aide’s email message on Mormonism

Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback says he will personally apologize to rival Mitt Romney for a Brownback campaign aide’s email which contrasted Christianity with Mormonism, which is Romney’s faith.

Brownback says there should be no “religious test” in the presidential campaign. “We tell our campaign not to have this discussion,” Brownback says. “This is about policy issues of our day. It isn’t about theological questions, religious beliefs.”

As for the staffer who wrote the email, he has been reprimanded according to Brownback. “It wasn’t done on campaign communications devices. We don’t support that and this is not what this campaign should be and I will call (Romney) to apologize directly,” Brownback says.

Brownback, who says he has not read the email in question, told reporters today in Indianola the discussion of Romney’s religious beliefs “has no place in our campaign.”

“It’s unfortunate that these attacks of religious bigotry were taking place. Senator Brownback has apologized and we are glad he is working to minimize these repugnant activities within his campaign,” said Tim Albrecht, a spokesman for Romney’s Iowa campaign. “There is just no place for these types of attacks in America today.”

Brownback this morning embarked on a four-day bus tour of Iowa, with stops in Oskaloosa and Knoxville this morning. He was Indianola over the noon hour, then had stops planned in Adel, Guthrie Center and Perry.

You may listen to more of what Brownback had to say to reporters in Indianola by clicking on the audio link below.